The Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput Cases: An NRI Perspective on Justice, Media, and Politics

Introduction

The deaths of Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput in June 2020 shocked India and reverberated across the global Indian diaspora, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Both cases, occurring within days of each other, sparked intense speculation, media frenzy, and political controversies that captured the attention of NRIs, particularly those following Bollywood and Indian socio-political developments. Disha Salian, a celebrity manager who briefly worked with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai’s Malad area. Six days later, on June 14, 2020, Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment, ruled a suicide by authorities. From an NRI perspective, these cases highlight concerns about justice, transparency, and the influence of politics and media in India. This investigative report for www.telugutone.com explores the cases, their interconnections, and the broader implications through the lens of the diaspora.

Background of the Cases

Disha Salian’s Death

Disha Salian, aged 28, was a well-known celebrity manager who worked with prominent Bollywood figures, including Sushant Singh Rajput, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Varun Sharma. On June 8, 2020, she fell from the 14th floor of the Regent Galaxy building in Malad, Mumbai, where she was attending a gathering with her fiancé, Rohan Roy, and childhood friends. The Mumbai Police initially registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), and their investigation, supported by a postmortem, concluded that her death was a suicide, with no signs of assault. The police cited personal and professional stress, including stalled projects and alleged financial misuse by her father, Satish Salian, as contributing factors. In 2023, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to reinvestigate the case, and on July 3, 2025, it submitted a report to the Bombay High Court, reaffirming no foul play.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death

Sushant Singh Rajput, a 34-year-old Bollywood actor known for films like M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020. The Mumbai Police initially ruled his death a suicide by hanging, confirmed by a postmortem report citing asphyxia. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following public outcry and a complaint by Rajput’s father alleging abetment by Rajput’s girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty. The CBI’s closure report, filed on March 22, 2025, ruled out foul play, attributing Rajput’s death to suicide linked to mental health struggles. Additional probes by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) investigated financial and drug-related angles but found no conclusive evidence of murder.

Connection Between the Cases

The proximity of the two deaths—six days apart—and Salian’s professional association with Rajput fueled speculation of a connection. Social media and some political figures, including BJP leaders Narayan Rane and Nitesh Rane, alleged that Salian’s death was a murder covered up by influential figures, possibly linked to Rajput’s demise. Mumbai Police and the CBI, however, found no evidence linking the two cases, with Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh stating on August 3, 2020, that investigations showed no connection.

NRI Perspective: Key Themes

For NRIs, the Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput cases resonate deeply due to their ties to Bollywood, a cultural touchstone for the diaspora, and the broader issues they raise about justice and governance in India. Below are key themes from an NRI perspective:

1. Quest for Justice and Transparency

NRIs, often accustomed to judicial systems in countries with robust transparency, have expressed skepticism about the handling of both cases. The initial Mumbai Police investigations, followed by the CBI’s closure reports, have been criticized for lacking detailed public disclosure. For instance, Satish Salian’s 2025 petition to the Bombay High Court, alleging that Disha was “brutally raped and murdered” and that her postmortem was tampered with under political pressure, raised doubts about the integrity of the process. Similarly, the CBI’s conclusion that Rajput’s death was a suicide, despite widespread conspiracy theories, left many NRIs questioning whether all angles were thoroughly explored. The diaspora often views such cases through the lens of their host countries’ legal standards, where public access to investigation details is more common, amplifying frustration with perceived opacity in India.

2. Media Sensationalism and Misinformation

The Indian media’s coverage of both cases, amplified by social media, has been a double-edged sword for NRIs. While platforms like X provided real-time updates, they also spread unverified claims, such as allegations of a “dark web” conspiracy or political cover-ups involving Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. For NRIs, who rely heavily on digital media to stay connected to India, this created a confusing narrative landscape. In 2020, Satish Salian himself condemned media outlets for spreading “cooked-up stories” about Disha’s death, including false links to Rajput’s case, highlighting the toll of misinformation on families. The diaspora’s exposure to global media standards makes them particularly sensitive to sensationalism, with many expressing concern over how media trials overshadowed evidence-based reporting.

3. Political Polarization and Trust in Institutions

The politicization of both cases has been a significant concern for NRIs, who often view Indian politics from a distance but with keen interest. Allegations by BJP leaders, such as Nitesh Rane’s claim that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government under Uddhav Thackeray suppressed evidence, contrasted with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut accusing the BJP of exploiting the deaths for electoral gains. This political tug-of-war, especially during the 2020 Bihar elections, led NRIs to question the impartiality of investigations. For the diaspora, accustomed to relatively depoliticized judicial processes in countries like the US, UK, or Canada, the intertwining of politics and justice in India appears as a systemic flaw, eroding trust in institutions.

4. Emotional and Cultural Resonance

As fans of Bollywood, many NRIs felt a personal connection to Sushant Singh Rajput, whose rise from television to films symbolized the aspirations of young Indians. Disha Salian, though less public, was part of the same industry, making her death equally shocking. The diaspora’s emotional investment fueled online campaigns, such as #JusticeForSSR and #JusticeForDisha, with NRIs actively participating on platforms like X. The sense of loss was compounded by the perception that both deaths were mishandled, prompting NRIs to demand accountability, often citing their experiences with more transparent systems abroad.

5. Conspiracy Theories and Diaspora Skepticism

Conspiracy theories, such as those alleging murder, rape, or Bollywood-political nexus, found traction among NRIs, particularly due to the lack of conclusive evidence in the public domain. Claims like those from an ambulance driver in 2025, who alleged severe injuries on Salian’s body inconsistent with a fall, or fan theories on platforms like Wattpad questioning the absence of fractures, fueled doubts. NRIs, often exposed to critical thinking frameworks in their host countries, tend to scrutinize official narratives, especially when discrepancies—such as the delayed postmortem in Salian’s case—are highlighted. However, the CBI and SIT findings, which consistently ruled out foul play, challenge these theories, leaving the diaspora divided between skepticism and acceptance.

Key Developments and Controversies

Disha Salian Case

• Initial Investigation (2020): Mumbai Police concluded Salian’s death was a suicide, citing her intoxication and emotional distress during a gathering. The postmortem showed no signs of assault, and her fiancé, Rohan Roy, supported the police’s findings.
• Satish Salian’s Allegations (2025): In March 2025, Satish Salian filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, alleging Disha was gang-raped and murdered, naming Aaditya Thackeray, actors Sooraj Pancholi, Dino Morea, and others. He claimed the postmortem was delayed by over 50 hours to destroy evidence and demanded a CBI probe.
• SIT Findings (2025): The SIT’s July 2025 report to the Bombay High Court reaffirmed no foul play, supported by CCTV footage and call records showing no suspicious activity.
• Political Backlash: BJP leaders, including Nitesh Rane, alleged a cover-up by the MVA government, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Aaditya Thackeray dismissed the accusations as defamation.

Sushant Singh Rajput Case

• Initial Investigation (2020): Mumbai Police ruled Rajput’s death a suicide, noting his mental health struggles and internet searches about Disha Salian and mental illness. The CBI took over in August 2020 after a complaint from Rajput’s father.
• CBI Closure Report (2025): The CBI concluded on March 22, 2025, that Rajput’s death was a suicide, with no evidence of foul play. The report cited his consultations with psychiatrists and medication use.
• Additional Probes: The ED investigated money laundering allegations, and the NCB probed drug-related claims against Rhea Chakraborty, who was granted bail in October 2020. No evidence supported murder claims.
• Public and Political Reaction: Rajput’s cousin, Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, supported Salian’s father’s petition, alleging a link between the deaths and a cover-up by the Thackeray government.

NRI Concerns and Reflections

For NRIs, the cases raise broader questions about India’s judicial and media landscape:

• Judicial Independence: The diaspora is concerned about the influence of political figures on investigations, as seen in allegations against Aaditya Thackeray and claims of evidence suppression.
• Media Accountability: The spread of unverified claims, such as those linking Salian’s death to a Bollywood-political nexus, underscores the need for responsible journalism, a value NRIs often compare to stricter media regulations abroad.
• Mental Health Awareness: Rajput’s documented struggles and Salian’s alleged distress highlight the need for better mental health support in India, a concern NRIs often advocate for, drawing from their experiences in countries with robust mental health systems.
• Cultural Disconnect: NRIs, while deeply connected to Indian culture, often feel distanced from the ground realities of India’s political and media dynamics, making it challenging to separate fact from fiction in such high-profile cases.

Conclusion

From an NRI perspective, the Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput cases are more than just tragedies; they reflect systemic issues in India’s investigative processes, media culture, and political landscape. The diaspora’s demand for transparency, fueled by their exposure to global standards, underscores a desire for justice that transcends borders. While official investigations have concluded both deaths as suicides, the lack of detailed public disclosure and persistent political allegations keep the cases alive in the NRI consciousness. For www.telugutone.com, this report highlights the diaspora’s call for accountability, urging Indian authorities to bridge the trust gap and address the cultural and emotional resonance of these cases for NRIs worldwide.